The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has approved the court’s 2026 annual judicial vacation, which will run from July 27 to September 11, 2026.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the court’s Director of Information, Catherine Christopher, citing the relevant provisions of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.
According to the statement, the vacation period is part of the court’s annual schedule designed to allow judges a period of rest while still maintaining access to justice for urgent matters.
Despite the break in regular sittings, the court confirmed that judicial services will continue in designated divisions to handle time-sensitive cases.
The Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Enugu judicial divisions will remain operational throughout the vacation period for urgent matters requiring immediate attention.
Members of the public and legal practitioners were advised to file only urgent applications during this period and to approach the appropriate vacation courts based on their jurisdiction.
The Chief Judge also assigned eight judges to preside over matters during the vacation period across the designated divisions.
In Abuja, Justices J.O. Abdulmalik and O.A. Egwuatu will handle cases, while Justices Akintayo Aluko and Ogazi F. Nkemakonam will sit in Lagos.
For Port Harcourt, Justices P.M. Ayua and A.T. Mohammed have been assigned, while Justices F.O.G. Ogunbanjo and M.T. Segun-Bello will handle matters in Enugu.
The Federal High Court explained that the arrangement ensures continuity of judicial services while balancing the need for rest within the judiciary system.
